Athens yesterday – Corinth today. Sounds like a holiday tour doesn’t it! But it was in Corinth that the tour ended, and Paul settled down to a period of regular work as a tentmaker and preacher. As much as Athens had been intellectual, Corinth was a city of debauchery. In Athens Paul had been distressed by the idolatry; in Corinth it was human behaviour and the sexually charged environment that would have struck him. The great temples were centres of prostitution, and even everyday pottery was decorated with pornographic images.
Once again, Paul started by preaching to the Jews, but soon moved into the house next door to continue preaching to Jews and Gentiles. True to form, the Jews assaulted him, and took him to court. Then, in the middle of all of this, God said, ‘This is where I want you.’
So there, in spite of the surrounding culture and opposition, he settled.
Isn’t it great to be sure you are where God wants you to be! Whether that means your daily employment, the role you have taken on at Church, or even the daily round of bringing up children or housework. It’s a delight to hear a Christian say with genuine conviction, ‘I’m in the place where God wants me to be, and doing what He wants me to do.’

For reflection: It is sad to see or hear of people who feel constrained by circumstances, or pressure from others, (even in Church) to be doing jobs for which they are not gifted and thus feel deeply dissatisfied with their lives. Are you at a point in your own life where you can say with your whole heart that you know what gifts and abilities God has given to you and that you are in a place where they are being used? Rejoice if that is the case, but if it is not, what can you do about it?
Is there a trusted friend with whom you could talk about it, or might you share your feelings within a small group such as a Home Group?